Board Review: Plus One eSquatch Model

I like my boards like I like my women: short, curvy, fast, and easy—that's why I love this new model made by my friends at Plus One Surfboards. George and Joe are two mad scientists; they put their vast knowledge of mathematics, mechanics, and computer science in to their surfboards. They may not be the biggest board brand in the world, but they are among the smartest, and when it comes to getting what you want out of a surfboard, they always seem to hit the mark.

Just like the Chanel Islands Fred Rubble, this board was ready to rip on the first wave I caught—very prêt-à-porter as they'd say in the fashion world. Anyway, this board has treated me well in conditions ranging from waist high to a few feet overhead. I was riding 5'10″s in this same shape for a while so George at Plus One took two inches of length out, added a little bit of meat to the hips (the area right above the fins) and moved the wide point up. There's more rocker in this board than I generally get, but with that added rocker I have found that landing the few airs I try these days has become easier, and this board is very forgiving when I attempt to get radical.

I don't really have a quiver and I like to ride my boards for a long time, so it's important that the boards I do ride on a day-to-day basis can work in every condition. And yes, I'm a lazy pile so I don't like to work too hard on the waves I get. These are the reasons I highly recommend the Plus One eSquatch, and if you can, order a custom one, that way you'll get to meet the strange men that stand behind the respirators at Plus One (plus, there's a strip bar right by their headquarters, so you can make a quick pit stop and see some boobs after you order your board! How sweet is that!).—Chris Cote

Here's the eSquatch in action at the Arnette surf contest a few weeks ago. The board went well, I was the one who sucked my way to fourth place in the first heat. #first_round_clown. Photo: Steindler